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I am a running nurse-turned-expat... welcome to my quirky world and my quirky ways... AND this is life according to me.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Pikermi

I was looking at the website of Runner’s World this morning when I happened to saw this online poll regarding what other name should a half marathon be called.

Here are the options:

1. 13.1 miler
2. 21-K
3. Pikermi

The first two options were a no-brainer but I was drawn to the 3rd option- PIKERMI. I was so curious why a half marathon should be called as such so I began to Google it and here’s what I found out:

A marathon run as we all know is a race that is 26.2 miles (equal to 26 miles 385 yards, or 42.2 kilometers) long and originated when Pheiddipides, a greek messenger, ran from the Plains of Marathon to Athens to proclaim the Greek’s victory in battle. He ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly exclaiming "We have Won!" before collapsing and dying. A race was then organized annually over the supposed original route and is known as the Athens Marathon.

The town of Pikermi is situated halfway between the town of Marathon and Athens- a distance of about 13.1 miles (equal to 21 kilometers).

The idea behind the need of giving the "half marathon" it's own name is based on the thought that the accomplishment of running a race of 13.1 miles should not be diminished by describing it as "only half" of something else because it is a very respectable distance. It does not make one half of a runner when one runs a half. – This, I stumbled upon the blog Good luck on that Pikermi! written by Pochero in Runner’s world and it helped me a lot to understand why a half mary is much better named as Pikermi!

Also, try to click this link if you wanted to join or wanted to know more about Team Pikermi or you could search their group on facebook. =)